On The Hill magazine - November 2018

NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR PRIMROSE HILL PEOPLE

NOVEMBER 2018 | ONTHEHILL.INFO

GUEST EDITORS

PHIL COWAN REMEMBERS MARCEL SCHMITT

MARY PORTAS & MELANIE RICKEY On board to support the PHCA fundraising campaign See pp 12 & 13 for details

A BLUE PLAQUE FOR AGNES ARBER IN ELSWORTHY TERRACE

THE LIFE OF A CAMDEN FOSTER CARER Produced by Primrose Hill Community Association

November 2018 On The Hill On The Go

CONTENTS & PREVIEW

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Keep up with the latest news and happenings on our social media channels.

Guest Editors’ Letter 05 On The Street 07

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@onthehill_mag

STORY

What’s On 16

Capture the unique facets of your story with a one-off bespoke engagement ring

www.hkjewellery.co.uk Hertfordshire Jewellery Centre +44 (0)1462 790 565 hertfordshire@hkjewellery.co.uk North Barn, Fairclough Hall Farm, Halls Green, Herts, SG4 7DP

Cambridge Studio & Shop +44 (0)1223 461 333 cambridge@hkjewellery.co.uk 6/7 Green Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB2 3JU

Remembering Marcel Schmitt, The Wiener Library, Primrose Hill Postcards, Primrose Hill Community Association News

London Studio & Shop +44 (0)203 886 0757 primrosehill@hkjewellery.co.uk 69 Regent’s Park Road, Primrose Hill, London, NW1 8UY

@onthehillinfo @onthehillinfo

onthehill.info

Things to do in November

A Blue Plaque for Agnes Arber 18

Xandra Bingley explores the life of the renowned botanist

Local School Children Turn WW1 and WW2 Detectives 19

Mary’s Manifesto 24

Primrose Hill Entrepreneurs 20

Marketplace 29

Remembering those who died in recent wars

Jonathan BrandlingHarris talks about his business

Female Entrepreneurs 21

PHCC hosts an all-female panel of entrepreneurs

Foster Care in Camden 22 London Lives 26

A book of iconic people by local authors Danny Rosenbaum and Rupert Vandervell

Mary Portas discusses a new way of working with her latest book, Work Like a Woman

Contact details for local services

Primrose Hill Eats 30

Bonfire Night cakes from Collis Bakes

Cartoon 31 Hello, Primrose Hill!

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Photos from the Getaway Gala

Sales

020 7043 4433 GUEST EDITORS’ LETTER

£595,000

£1,150,000

Leasehold

Leasehold

The Team Editor

Maggie Chambers editor@onthehill.info

Editorial Group

Dick Bird, Doro Marden, Phil Cowan, Pam White, David Lennon, Mole on the Hill, Micael Johnstone, Andrew Black

What’s On Editor Julie Stapleton

Social Media and Website Editor Jason Pittock

Subeditors

Camden, NW1

Camden, NW1

A contemporary 1 bedroom apartment forming part of an exciting villa-style development, enviably located in the Camden Square Conservation area. This beautiful home comprises a dual aspect kitchen/reception room with direct access onto a terrace, a principal bedroom that also has access onto the terrace, a family bathroom and a separate utility space. Other benefits include a utility space, underfloor heating, lift access and communal gardens.

A characterful 2 bedroom apartment occupying the first and second floors of an imposing period residence situated on one of Camden’s premier roads. This bright and airy apartment offers approximately 920 sq ft of living space that is arranged over the top 2 floors and entered on the ground floor. The first floor hosts a breath taking living room with floor to ceiling windows that opens directly into a modern separate kitchen. The second floor hosts 2 double bedrooms and a bathroom.

Energy Efficiency Rating - B81

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Energy Efficiency Rating - D61

Brenda Stones, Vicki Hillyard

Photographer

Sarah Louise Ramsay www.slrphotography.co.uk

Cartoonist

Bridget Grosvenor

Design

Luke Skinner agency-black.com

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Advertising Sales

Melissa Skinner 07779 252 272 melskin@hotmail.co.uk

020 7043 3333

Lettings

Special thanks to all our contributors.

£1,150* pw

£1,195* pw

Unfurnished (£4,983 p/m)

Part Furnished (£5,178 p/m)

This publication is created by the community and for the benefit of Primrose Hill on behalf of your local charity, the Primrose Hill Community Association (PHCA). All proceeds from this publication go directly to fund the charity.

We hope you enjoy. www.phca.cc Disclaimer: the views in the magazine are not necessarily the views of the PHCA.

Primrose Hill, NW3

Chalk Farm, NW3

A stunning brand newly refurbished 3 bedroom apartment set over 1250 sq ft on the first floor of a period conversion situated on a tree lined street in Primrose Hill. The property has been finished to a very high specification throughout and comprises a large reception room, a separate kitchen, a master bedroom with en-suite shower room, 2 further double bedrooms and a family bathroom. Located within 100m of the green spaces of Primrose Hill and less than a 1000m to both Chalk Farm (Northern line) and Swiss Cottage (Jubilee line) underground stations.

A beautifully presented 4/5 bedroom garden maisonette forming part of a handsome period residence located on the borders of Primrose Hill and Chalk Farm. This stunning apartment with its own front door comprises on the raised ground floor, 3 double bedrooms all with built in wardrobes and a luxurious family bathroom. The garden level incorporates a further double bedroom, a study/fifth bedroom, a shower room, a circa 20 ft reception room and a stunning kitchen/dining room that leads on to a well presented South facing garden.

Energy Efficiency Rating - D59

Energy Efficiency Rating - C74

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This product is made of material from well-managed, FSC® certified forests and other controlled sources

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020 7043 4433 . RESIDENTIAL LETTINGS

020 7043 3333

ISSN 20-6175

Set fees apply for all tenancies: £180.00 administration fee per tenancy + £48.00 referencing charge per Tenant/Guarantor. For variable charges and deposits explained please visit www.g-h.co.uk

www.g-h.co.uk

This is one of my favourite quotes by the wonderful Jane Jacobs, a Canadian journalist and activist who tirelessly fought for local governments to respect the needs of the people they governed: “Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.”

Primrose Hill has a diverse and strong community, and after six years living here it’s still revealing itself to us, both through our daily lives and that of our six-year-old son and older children Verity and Mylo (aficionados of The Queen’s pub quiz).

Primrose Hill is also where, in 2010, I opened my very first Mary’s Living & Giving Shop with Save the Children. I love it when people tell me what treasures they have found, or volunteers share their stories. The store is a hub of community and love, and I know that it’s thanks to the Primrose Hill Community Association, which promotes such a tight community atmosphere in the area.

There are so many creative people in Primrose Hill: some at the top of their careers and some just starting out, like the entrepreneurial women in this issue.

And there are those who are equally creative but have somehow fallen through the cracks, like Marcel Schmitt, whose face we miss seeing every day in the village. Phil Cowan has put to paper his memories of Marcel on page 8; a reminder that it’s our duty as a community to care for all its members.

Our Community Centre helps us to do this. There are activities for young children, over 60s and Narcotics Anonymous, to name but a few.

As the Community Association has signed a lease from Camden Council, they now need to raise £250,000 before the end of the year in order to secure its future for the next twenty-five years. Details of the fundraising campaign can be found on page 12. It’s ‘Hall or Nothing’ for the future of our Community Centre, so please give what you can to keep it serving our Primrose Hill community.

Happy November!

Mary Portas and Melanie Rickey PHCA CommunityVoices

onthehill.info

CAMDEN OFFICE . 114-118 PARKWAY . CAMDEN . LONDON NW1 7AN . RESIDENTIAL SALES

Welcome to November

Cover PHOTOGRAPH BY Sarah Louise Ramsay

“I have the greatest admiration for the dedicated and continuous work done by the Association for the fortunate residents of Primrose Hill. Thank you and best wishes for this next stage.”

“PHCA has been an integral part of our family life over the last many years, and we are keen to help.”

“Since having our baby daughter, we appreciate even more than ever the benefit of having a vibrant community centre on our doorstep.”

Join the campaign and learn more at

www.phca.cc/appeal

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NOVEMBER 2018

PRIMROSE HILL NEWS, VIEWS, CULTURE AND LIFESTYLE

PRIMROSE HILL

The Wiener Library p9

Primrose Hill Postcards p 10

Alan Bennett p 13

PHCA News & Info p 12

AND MORE

C H R I S T M A S F E S T I VA L

Sunday 25th November 2018 9.30-5.30pm

REMEMBERING MARCEL SCHMITT Phil Cowan, otherwise known as the ‘Mayor of Primrose Hill’, shares his memories of Marcel, who died in July.

DOG SHOW

Continued on p 8 

STREET FOOD POP UPS NEW RIDES CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR LIVE BANDS & CHRISTMAS CHOIRS SANTA AND HIS CHEEKY ELF

For further information please contact:

operations@mlglondon.com @ph_festival

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primrose hill festival 7

NOVEMBER 2018

REMEMBERING MARCEL SCHMITT WORDS BY Phil Cowan

THE MAN CALLED MARS He holds on to his dream, And never lets go, This man will never give up, Even when he’s low.

F

ragility is an unavoidable part of the human condition. It is often said that people are at their most vulnerable and fragile at the time of birth or at death. That may be true, but often it’s the time in between when people are most in need of friendship, empathy and care. That time can also be when a person gives out their most valuable gifts to others, most particularly memories of them for all of us to share together.

Marcel Schmitt has most definitely bequeathed an indelible collection of memories to those he knew and to many he didn’t.

His impromptu appearances at community meetings in Primrose Hill were always a guarantee of a more interesting evening than had been originally planned, which was sometimes a relief and at other times made you want to bite your fingers off!

I’m only going to tell one funny story about my experiences with Marcel, even though I know there are numerous others.

One day a few years back, Marcel decided that I should be the Mayor of Primrose Hill for reasons I cannot fathom. I declined this imaginary position, but he continued to insist that I take up the duties anyway. I was completely unqualified, having no medal of courage, diploma of thinking nor even a decent clock that ticked.

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Marcel loved being present and giving a bit of oomph to any campaign I was running in the village ‒ sometimes with the most hilarious consequences.

Four years ago I set up a street stall outside Primrose Hill Pets to get signatures for a petition opposing the HS2 railway. Things were going fairly well until Marcel decided to roll up and ‘help’ with the campaign. My approach to passers-by to sign the petition had been pretty diplomatic and moderately successful, but Marcel had a very different angle on how we could garner more names.

He thought that shouting to people “Hey! This is Phil, the Mayor of Primrose Hill, and you should go sign his petition” would be a more productive way of gaining signatories.

I was rather undecided as to whether that was going to help our cause, when a guy walked past us and ignored Marcel’s appeal. Marcel tapped him on the shoulder and repeated that “everyone should sign the Mayor of Primrose Hill’s petition against HS2”! The guy turned around and said absolutely accurately, “Hi, I’m Jonathan Simpson and guess what, I’m not the Mayor of Primrose Hill but I am the Mayor of the Borough of Camden!” Marcel conceded that his position probably over-rode mine as the imaginary Mayor of Primrose Hill, but insisted he sign the petition anyway.

A community is only successful when it embraces all of its people and its

components. Here in Primrose Hill we pride ourselves on the links between our community-run library, our community centre, our churches, shops, pubs and charitable causes. When combined, these elements provide a place where people can get along together and feel at home. I hope Marcel finally felt ‘there’s no place like home’ when he moved to Primrose Hill.

Marcel proved that he was a vital part of our community here and in Queen’s Crescent over the years. He may have sometimes divided opinion, but he always held one! The few who didn’t get to know him missed out on a unique character who thought deep thoughts, was highly intelligent and had a natural empathy with humans and his canine buddies both here and beyond. These are rare qualities in our present world.

A good local friend of Marcel was the broadcaster Andrew Marr. He wanted me to tell you how much he would miss Marcel calling out “Aandrooo!” on the streets of our village, and how much emptier a place it would be without him.

A wonderful wizard once said, “A person should not be judged by how much they love, but by how much they are loved by others.” Marcel was loved by so many others, as was shown by everyone who came to his memorial service.

Anyway, my dear friend Marcel, I never was the Mayor of Primrose Hill and I never will be as there was only ever one, and that was you.

He is a born creator, With long slender hands, His talent’s astounding, He’s a one-man-band.

He’s charming and clever, Always watching the news, He gets so excited, With his political views.

He looks out his window, Watches the world go by, Laughs at their faces, ’Cause they’re living a lie.

He leaves his apartment, To check out the street, He wears dark glasses, Doesn’t know who he’ll meet.

He looks around the market, He loves all the stalls, He stops for a coffee, To check his missed calls.

He appreciates beauty, It lights up his life, He loves all the ladies, He needs a new wife.

He wants to drive fast cars, And order champagne, He’s soon to be famous, And live up to his name!

For my best friend, Marcel Schmitt Written in December 2007 by Catherine Anastasia Fenwick

PHOTOGRAPH BY Sarah Louise Ramsay

ON THE STREET

The Wiener Library Primrose Hill resident Anthony Landes has taken over the role of Chair of the Wiener Library.

The Library was founded by Alfred Weiner in Amsterdam in 1934 and was the first institution devoted to the study of the Nazi persecution of the Jews. In 1939, it moved hurriedly London to escape the threat of German invasion. Writing in 1946, Wiener asserted: ‘No parallel library can be found in the world for such scale and variety of specialised literature on the subjects of National Socialism, Fascism and Racialism.’ At that time, he argued, ‘a thorough knowledge … and unbiased information on what is now going on and likely to develop, is indispensable. To help in that great task will be the noblest duty of the Wiener Library.’ He wrote this as his collections were providing evidence to the UN War Crimes Commission, to the Nuremberg Tribunal and to subsequent war crimes trials.

Today, studying the causes and consequences of fascism, racism and genocide wherever they are found is as important as it was seven decades ago. The Wiener Library remains one of the world’s greatest collections of books, archives and other materials on the Holocaust and genocides, such as Rwanda, Darfur, Armenia and the genocidal persecution of Yazidis in Syria and Iraq. Its holdings are irreplaceable – and growing. Laid out in a straight line, its collections would extend to around 30 km. The Library reaches out to a wider public by hosting exhibitions and events (see below) which draw in a diverse audience from students to leading journalists and opinion-formers.

Anthony commented, ‘I am delighted to have been elected Chair ... The Library is as important today as when Alfred Wiener started his work in the 1920s. These are worrying times for everyone who cares about a tolerant society. Across Europe and in other parts of the globe we see the rise of nationalism, racism and xenophobia. It is vital that the Library continues to remind the world of the horrors that this type of environment can lead to. As a Library of record we hold the evidence to support the truth whenever inaccuracies are promulgated.’

The Wiener Library is located at 29 Russell Square and is well worth a visit. www.wienerlibrary.co.uk

Wiener Library memorial concert for the 80th anniversary of the Kindertransport 22 November Liberal Jewish Synagogue, St John’s Wood Road The event features a German cellist who helped reunite descendants of a Jewish refugee family.

Tickets £30 (proceeds go to the Weiner Library). Reception prior to concert from 7pm, with Dame Esther Rantzen.

Book now at bit.ly/WLMemorialConcert or call 0207 636 7247

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Natasha Kumar

ON THE STREET

NOVEMBER 2018

POSTCARDS FROM PRIMROSE HILL

natashakumar.co.uk

Natasha Kumar www.natashakumar.co.uk

An image of Albert Road, since 1937 called Prince Albert Road (named after Queen Victoria’s husband). In the distance stands St Mark’s Church; in the foreground the public transport of its day, a horsedrawn bus. Its destinations are Holloway and Bayswater, and there is space for advertising: Colman’s Mustard.

The first house on the corner was called Mymms Villa, which sadly was demolished in the 1960s. It was replaced by a block of flats in red brick that we can still see today.

The postcard was sent in July 1906. Rose wrote to her friend, a Mrs Riden in Weston-super-Mare: “I wonder if you recognize the house on the corner where the bus is, I think you have been there once.”

Royal Chhatris Series Etching and monoprint

Chhatris are raised dome-shaped pavilions in Indian architecture, or funerary sites. They are contain elements of Hindu as well as Mughal architecture. The term chhatri means umbrella or canopy. @old_primrosehill_postcards Over the last 10 years the chhatri has become a central theme in Kumar’s

work. To express the moods evoked by the chhatris at different times in the day, Kumar takes colours and contrasts from everyday Rajasthani life; bold fluorescing pinks and oranges, dark russet and turquoise.

Care Packages Live-in Care Hourly Day Care Hourly Night Care 24 Hour Care

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ON THE STREET

NOVEMBER 2018

News & Information

Getaway Gala Raises over £20,000

from Primrose Hill Community Association

Your regular update from PHCA, publisher of On The Hill

Primrose Hill Community Association’s AGM round-up This year’s AGM was held at the Community Centre on 4 October. Maureen Betts, Chair of the Primrose Hill Community Association, began by running through the topics of importance to the Association:

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The negotiations over the Community Centre lease, and the invaluable legal help provided by Francis Katz

The refurbishment of the building by Camden Council, important as the Association will become responsible for maintenance under the long lease

The regular activities of the Centre, such as the Summer Fair, and the production of On The Hill

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4 A 43% increase in the usage of the Association’s website (phca.cc)

The sum raised for purchase of the lease in the first month: £130,000. This is just over halfway towards our total, thanks to all the generous contributors so far, and the £25,000 raised at the Getaway Gala

An Events Committee has recently been formed under the leadership of Tim Kirkpatrick, who invited anyone interested to contact him through the office.

Maureen thanked everybody who had a key role in making it a successful year, especially Mick Hudspeth, Dorothy Toh, Julie Stapleton and Xi Hu, and the many volunteers who contributed so significantly to events.

Dorothy Toh, the Treasurer, reported on finances. The income for the year was £193,000 with a surplus of £24,000. Lettings income was higher than last year and the Association also received gifts and film income: Paddington 2 brought in £13,000.

Marijka Good, chair of the Library board, reported that in the past financial year footfall has risen to over 80,000 (as counted by machines left in place by the council). The Library now has over 3,000 members. Other successes are: • Chess Club • Rhyme Time • Bridge Club • The continued excellent performance of the Book Committee in keeping the stock up to date, meeting popular demand, and buying well but economically.

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Forthcoming events: a disco in November and a children’s Christmas party

Marijka also reported the sad news that staff member Rob Edgar is leaving for Cumbria; he will be replaced by Terry McGowan. Marijka thanked all the volunteers, explaining that the Library was dependent on them, and that reinforcements would be welcomed.

Lucy Cottrell, the Treasurer, spoke about the financial position of the Library. Its earned income was never going to be above 50% of expenditure, c £35,000 pa. However, thanks to support from outside sources, in particular the John Lyons Trust, the Library has always made a surplus.

This means that its reserves are at a high point. The Library, which has always had outstanding support from our councillors, is now seeking a new lease from Camden Council. If that is secured, the Library will be in a strong financial position.

The meeting concluded with the formal adoption of the accounts, the appointment of Trustees and of the Auditors, who certify the accounts.

Maureen then introduced the guest speaker, Alan Bennett, whose name had not been advertised because numbers were limited by fire regulations.

Alan Bennett Alan Bennett looked very much at home as he took a chair and announced that he planned to read passages from his famous diaries. The diaries, extracts of which are published annually in the London Review of Books, are repositories for accounts of noteworthy events, dialogue and characters which represent the oddity and truth about humanity. It is this feeling for people that makes him such a loved playwright.

What was so enjoyable about the many amusing stories that followed was that Alan Bennett, always so modest, very much enjoyed telling them. His first topic was trains, as he and his partner Rupert frequently catch the train to Leeds, his home town, and on to the house which his parents bought on retirement.

It would be wrong to steal his stories, but it is hard to resist recording his encounter with TS Eliot at Leeds station.

It was late in Eliot’s life and he was in a wheelchair, accompanied by his wife Valerie, whom Alan Bennett recognised as a customer of his father. Valerie Eliot later passed on to him a Beyond the Fringe programme in which Eliot had written appraisals of the show (which Bennett produced, along with Dudley Moore, Peter Cook and Jonathan Miller), among them ‘Brilliant’ and ‘Juvenilia’.

Only two days previously at the Library’s film club, the film of Bennett’s The History Boys had been introduced

by Nicholas Hytner, his great friend and the director of his plays and films.

Hytner said that when they were interviewing for the cast, they were so taken by James Corden that they included him even though there was no part written for him. Alan wrote a hilarious script for James Corden as Timms, from which his career took off.

Alan gave us 45 minutes of gripping entertainment, as testament to his insights, truthfulness and honesty. As further evidence, he declined Maureen’s gift of champagne, but was happy to take a bottle of red wine!

The Getaway Gala, which was held at the end of September, raised double the amount expected. The many locals who attended raised funds for the Primrose Hill Community Centre lease while also bidding for stays in holiday homes and unusual experiences, including the opportunity to watch Channel 4 News being made with Jon Snow.

Matthew Wright added panache in his role as auctioneer, assisted by Gabby De La Concha.

Annabel Leventon treated the audience to a wonderful performance with an impromptu Rocky Horror Show routine after the auction.

Special thanks go to Greenberry Café for providing the chicken salad, L’Absinthe for the cheese, Angelica Wines for the prosecco and Primrose Bakery and Helen Tindale for cakes. Mary-Ann Smillie and her team worked miracles from the limited space of the Centre’s kitchen; Gallery 196 provided tablecloths; and Pippa Johnson-Kapp captured the events with her photography.

The sponsors of the evening were Veeve, who match visitors to London, Paris and Los Angeles with characterful homes. They agreed to donate £200 to the fundraising campaign for every new client booked as a result of the gala.

The Getaway Gala was part of the fundraising drive to raise £250,000 to buy the lease before Christmas. If you can give, or know someone who can, please contact us: leaseappeal@phca.cc 020 7586 8327

PRIMROSE HILL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

LEASE APPEAL 2018

£160,000 CURRENT TOTAL

THANK YOU!

www.phca.cc

PrimroseHillCommunity

PrimroseHill_CC

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NOVEMBER 2018

ON THE STREET

NEWS & VIEWS Marcel Schmitt Memorial Raises Money for Knife Amnesty Bin The memorial for Marcel Schmitt took place on 22 September in a church full of friends and dogs. Marcel’s favourite music was played, including one of his own songs.

A collection was held during the service, with the money going towards a gun amnesty bin, which is one of the St Mary’s Youth Club projects. Thank you to all who contributed. The collection raised £318.

St Mary’s Church Solar Panels Proposal St Mary’s Church has recently submitted a planning application to Camden Council to install photovoltaic solar panels on the south-side roof of the nave.

The purpose of this project is to generate renewable energy for the church itself, to produce surplus renewable electricity and to raise awareness of climate change in the local community.

The plans have many further benefits, including contributing to the Borough of Camden’s target of cutting CO2 emissions by 40% by 2020. Calculations show that this proposal will achieve a net reduction of 11.5 tonnes of CO2 per annum.

The estimated consumption of renewable energy by the church is only 20% of the electricity they could create, leaving a substantial amount left to sell back to the grid.

The proceeds from this surplus power would ensure the future of vital services that St Mary’s provides, The Gorilla Organization is hoping to recruit some local runners for including its renowned youth project, cold weather their team in the London Marathon. Interested parties would need to homeless shelter, lecture series, outreach to elderly raise £2,000 for the charity in sponsorship and pay a deposit of £150. people, counselling and citizens’ meetings, to name just For further details, please email events@gorillas.org, call some of the amazing work that takes place at the church.

020 7916 4974 or drop by the office on Gloucester Avenue.

The panels are state-of-the-art and would be sympathetically adjoined to the building to minimise visual impact to the Elsworthy conservation area. The planning application can be viewed on Camden Council’s website, A new barber’s salon has opened on Chalcot Road, r ito Ed reference PP-07314163. which aims to get men of all ages and backgrounds e th to Letter If you would like to talking openly about their feelings. support this initiative, Bobby Rebeiro had the idea for Headcase after being r, ito Dear Ed please sign the online asked by a friend to join a men’s group. “It’s about e, ed a grous This apostrophe caus petition at providing a place for people to have real conversations. use nous, The composer didn’t www.change.org/p/ That’s all. In saying that, if someone just wants a camden-councilhaircut – that’s cool too! It’s not about making anyone His discordant note, planning-committeefeel uncomfortable.” e, Not practised by rot e. support-solarHeadcase Barbers will receive training from a variety us Ho rp s Ha Was mistuned as Cecil’ panels-for-st-maryof practitioners, including the Movember charity. In the s-church evenings they’ll run Headcase Evenings, themed talks , ully thf about issues from domestic violence to male fertility. fai Yours Howard Richards

Run for the Gorilla Organization in the London Marathon

Local Girl Heads Appeal for Auditory Verbal UK Bryn Williams Celebrates Ten Years at Odette’s Welsh chef Bryn Williams celebrated his ten-year anniversary at Odette’s restaurant in October and marked the milestone with a special menu showcasing the best of Odette’s. The restaurant offered a £10 two-course deal as a token of appreciation to neighbouring businesses and local customers for their support over the years. The restaurant has been a neighbourhood institution since 1978.

Bryn shot to fame in 2006 by beating established chefs to cook the fish course for the Queen’s 80th birthday celebrations on the BBC’s Great British Menu. He decided to keep the name Odette’s, as it was a location on the Knowledge test for London’s black cab drivers.

Bryn has cause for a double celebration: he recently married Texas singer Sharleen Spiteri. Congratulations from On The Hill!

Eight-year-old Hope Dennis of Primrose Hill recently appeared in a BBC appeal for Auditory Verbal UK, the charity which helped her to speak. Hope was diagnosed as being profoundly deaf and underwent a cochlear implant when she was a baby.

Auditory Verbal UK teach deaf children to listen and speak by making sense of the sound relayed by their hearing aids and implants. See www.avuk.org

St Paul’s School Christmas Fair Save the date: the annual St Paul’s School Christmas Fair is here again! There are lots of treats in store for all ages, including a visit to Father Christmas in his grotto and mulled wine for adults. Get your Christmas shopping done early at the gift and craft stalls, have lunch in the restaurant or coffee and cake in the café. There will be entertainment throughout the afternoon. Saturday 1 December, 12–3pm.

Dashing Tweeds Store Good news for the stylish: Dashing Tweeds is now located at 47 Dorset Street in Marylebone. Guy Hills, the Primrose Hill resident behind this brand, has created a range of clothing in trademark tweed – some with reflective threads woven through for cyclists. Ready to wear, made to measure or cloth are all available and there is now a range for women. They have even teamed up with Nike to create a Dashing Tweeds trainer: see www.dashingtweeds.co.uk

Boy Talk at Headcase Barbers

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What’s On November NEW THIS NOVEMBER SUNDAY 4 NOVEMBER Family Barn Dance Bring all the family and take part in dances from Britain and beyond. CSH. 3–5pm. £7 adults, £5 children, £2 under 2s.

Youth Ceilidh Dance your socks off to some live English Ceilidh music. 12–19-year-olds. CSH. 6–8pm. £6.

TUESDAY 6 NOVEMBER Film Show at the Library The Manchurian Candidate, directed by John Frankenheimer. PHCL. 7.15pm. £8 (includes a glass of wine) in cash, in advance at PHCL or on the door.

WEDNESDAY 7 NOVEMBER Open House Print-making taster with Kate Guy of Cardabelle Design. PHCC. 2pm. Free.

THURSDAY 8 NOVEMBER Tunes from the Trenches John Kirkpatrick opens a kitbag of songs from the two world wars. CSH. 7.30pm. £16, £10 under 26s.

FRIDAY 9 NOVEMBER On Bouge French Dance Club, Deux Sans Frontières play scintillating and subtle music for lively Breton line dances, French bourrées etc. Never done it?

We can help you! PHCC. 7.15pm. £10/£8. Contact 07940 269223, chris@gigcb.com, www.onbouge.org SUNDAY 11 NOVEMBER Unveiling of new war memorial St Mary’s Church, Elsworthy Road, NW3 3DJ. 10.30am. Service, free.

The Poetry and the Pity (1918) A commemoration in music and words for the centenary of the WWI Armistice. St Mary’s Church, Elsworthy Road, NW3 3DJ. 7pm. Tickets at www.stmarysprimrosehill.com or on the door. Price £10, or £8 for concessions.

TUESDAY 13 NOVEMBER Primrose Hill Surgery Patient Participation Group Open meeting of news from your surgery.

Speaker: a consultant cardiologist on high blood pressure and heart attacks. PHCL. 6.30pm. Contact primrosehillppg@gmail.com, www.primrosehillsurgery.co.uk WEDNESDAY 14 NOVEMBER Open House Explore St Pancras Garden and ‘The Man Who Never Was’ with Lester Hillman. Transport available. 2pm. Free.

FRIDAY 16 NOVEMBER St Mary’s Brewery Novemberfest Join the annual beer tasting extravaganza. 10 beers, food and tours of the crypt.

St Mary’s Church, 7–10pm, £15 www.stmarysprimrosehill.com SATURDAY 17 NOVEMBER Jigdoll Ensemble Spell-bindingly innovative musician and dancer Hannah James presents her breathtaking folk music and dance show. CSH. 7.30pm. £15, £10 under 26s.

SUNDAY 18 NOVEMBER Sunday Papers Live London’s biannual celebration of all things Sunday returns: a day of walks, talks, roasts and performances. CSH. 12.30–11pm. £39.03 day, £20.91 evening only.

WEDNESDAY 21 NOVEMBER Open House A new illustrated talk on family history and wider research, from archivist Tudor Allen.

PHCC. 2pm. Free.

Monkey Music Award-winning music classes for babies and toddlers: music, movement, percussion, bubbles and fun. Contact 020 8438 0189 for a free trial class.

WEDNESDAY 21 NOVEMBER Library talk Courageous Women, Unusual Stories. Four local women talk about their published writing. PHCL. 7pm. £2 at the door.

Music and Rhyme for under 4s Drop-in sessions. PHCC. 4.30–5pm. £1. Contact 020 7586 8327

SUNDAY 25 NOVEMBER Craft Fair Sale Teas, cakes and book sale. PHCL. 11–5pm For a stall, call the library 020 7419 6599 Christmas Festival Dog Show All funds donated to Chalk Farm Food Bank and St Mary’s Church Winter Appeal. Best in show prize: 3-course meal for 2 with 4 cocktails at the Princess of Wales. 1–2.30pm. Registration opens 11am. Entry £5.

WEDNESDAY 28 NOVEMBER Open House Screening of the film adaptation of Ian McEwan’s novel Atonement. PHCC. 2pm. Free.

FRIDAY 30 NOVEMBER Village Disco Come party with the neighbourhood! With all your favourite ingredients: cocktails, bar, hot dogs, raffle, dancing to the music you love from DJs Savic & Pittock plus friends. Dress: discotheque. Prizes! PHCC. 7–11pm. Tickets from http://phca.cc/village-disco. Further donations to the lease appeal on the night most welcome.

PLAN AHEAD COMING SOON TUESDAY 4 DECEMBER Film Show at the Library Ninotchka, in which Garbo laughs! Directed by Ernst Lubitsch. PHCL. 7.15pm. £8 (including a glass of wine) in cash, in advance at PHCL or on the door.

FOR KIDS MONDAY Ready Steady Go ABC Exploratory play, singing, dance and stories for babies and toddlers 6–18 months, with Aaron. PHCC. 9.45–11am and 11.15am–12.30pm.

Contact 020 7586 5862 Rhyme Time Library Rhyme Time for under 5s. PHCL. 10.30–11.15am. Suggested £2 donation.

Contact 020 7419 6599 Circus Glory Trapeze for ages 3–12. All levels welcome.

PHCC. 3–6.30pm. Contact Genevieve 07973 451 603, gmonastresse@googlemail.com Homework Club Do your homework in the Library with a qualified teacher. PHCL. 4–6pm. Free. Contact 020 7419 6599 Chess Club Learn chess at the Library with a trained instructor. PHCL. 6.30–8.30pm. Free. Contact 020 7419 659 TUESDAY Hartbeeps Baby Sensory Multi-sensory class of mini music productions for the very young. PHCC. 1.30–5.15pm. Classes from £9.50. Contact clarelouise@hartbeeps.com

WEDNESDAY Circus Glory Trapeze for ages 3–12. All levels welcome.

PHCC. 2.30–6.30pm. Contact Genevieve 07973 451 603, gmonastesse@googlemail.com Primrose Hill Children’s Choir Learn to sing, enjoy fun songs and games. Ages 4–11. St Mary’s Church, NW3 3DJ. 4–5pm. First time free, then £8 per week. Contact Matthew 07817 234 925, www.primrosehillchoirs.com Homework Club Do your homework in the Library with a qualified teacher. PHCL. 4–6pm. Free. Contact 020 7419 6599 THURSDAY Ready Steady Go Yoga Baby and Me, age 6 weeks–9 months, with Lily.

PHCC. 9.45–10.45am. £60 for 5 weeks (first class free). Contact yoga@readysteadygo.org to register or for more information.

Mini Mozart Musical story time. PHCL. 9.30am for young children; 10.15am for babies. Contact hello@minimozart.com Drop-in for under 4s Drop in and take part in a variety of activities.

PHCC. 11.15am–1pm. £2.50 to include snack, tea and coffee for mums. Contact 020 7586 8327 Music and Rhyme for under 4s Drop-in sessions. PHCC. 4.30–5pm. £1. Contact 020 7586 8327 Catherine’s Ballet Ballet classes for under 5s. PHCC. 4–5pm.

Contact info@chalkfarmschoolofdance.co.uk, www.chalkfarmschoolofdance.co.uk First Class Learning English and Maths tuition. PHCL. 3.30–6.30pm.

Contact primrosehill@firstclasslearning.co.uk FRIDAY Mothers’ Mornings Meet other mothers while your children play.

PHCL. 10.30–11.30am. Free.

Contact 020 7419 6599 Circus Glory Trapeze for ages 3–12. All levels welcome.

PHCC. 2.30–6.30pm. Contact Genevieve 07973 451 603, gmonastesse@googlemail.com Pitta Patta Funky dance classes, ages 4–16. PHCC. 4–7.15pm. Contact Juliet 07971 916 174, Juliet@pittapattadance.co.uk, www.pittapattadance.co.uk SATURDAY Rhyme Time For all ages, with an adult. 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month. PHCL. 10.30–11.15am.

Suggested donation £2.

SUNDAY Perform A unique mix of drama, dance and singing classes to bring out every child’s true potential. Ages 4–7. PHCC. 10–11.30am and 11.30am–1pm. Try a free class. Contact 020 7255 9120, enquiries@ perform.org.uk, www.perform.org.uk

What’s On November FOR ADULTS

General Yoga PHCC. 6.30–8pm. Contact Catriona 07958 959816, cat.b1@blueyonder.co.uk

MONDAY Bridge Club (ACOL) PHCC. 1.45–3.45pm. £3. Contact Maureen Betts 07919 444187

Essential Oils Workshop Introduction to essential oils. PHCC. 4th Tuesday in the month. 7.30–9pm. £10. Contact cecily.bowditch@gmail.com

Lunch Club At Jacqueline House, Oldfield Estate, Fitzroy Road. Freshly cooked lunch served at 12.30 sharp. £5 for two courses. More info from 020 7586 8327

WEDNESDAY Circus Glory Trapeze for adults. All levels welcome. PHCC. 1.15–2.15pm. Contact Genevieve 07973 451 603, gmonastesse@googlemail.com

Bridge Class Join us in the Library for a game of bridge.

Beginners/intermediate. PHCL. 6.30pm.

Contact jojarrold@gmail.com

Feldenkrais Movement class. PHCL. 10.30–11.30am. Contact info@somaticcircles.com for info and price

Chilled Strings Small amateur string chamber orchestra, guided by professional tutor Kwesi Edman.

PHCC. 6.30–8.45pm. £10 for each evening.

Contact sueandhercello@gmail.com Primrose Hill Choir Love to sing? Try us out! All welcome. PHCC. 7.30–9.30pm. £6. Contact Matthew 07817 234925, www.primrosehillchoirs.com Circus Glory Trapeze for adults. All levels welcome. PHCC. 1.30–2.45pm. Contact Genevieve 07973 451603, gmonastresse@googlemail.com Neighbourhood Information Centre Drop-in advice centre. PHCL. 2–4pm. Free.

Contact 020 3397 3058 Debtors Anonymous Anonymity preserved. PHCL. 7–8pm. Donations welcome. Contact 07932 878605 Mary’s Living & Giving for Save the Children Take advantage of 50% off books, movies, records and CDs, and 20% off women’s jeans, every Monday, 10am–6pm.

Trauma Release Exercises (TRE) Drop-in class to release chronic tension patterns and return the nervous system to balance. PHCC. 4–5.30pm. £15 per class, or 5 for £50. Contact Tim Kirkpatrick, www.back2base.co.uk TUESDAY ESOL Class Learn English at the Library. PHCL. 12–1pm.

Free. Contact jojarrold@gmail.com Lunchtime Laban Workshop for actors, dancers, singers and the rest of us. Explore the where and how of movement with Rudolf Laban’s Scales and Efforts. PHCC. 12–1pm. £10. Contact Jenny 07970 536643, jennyfrankel.laban@gmail.com Mary’s Living & Giving for Save the Children Take advantage of 20% off men’s items every Tuesday, 10am–6pm.

Keep Fit for over 60s New teacher! PHCC. 3–4pm. Free. Contact 020 7586 8327 Morris Dancing Class Have fun, increase your fitness and improve your dance skills whilst learning Cotswold Morris dances. CSH. 7–9pm. £8, or buy 5 and the 6th is free.

Pilates PHCL. Dynamic sessions, 9am and 10.15am; gentler session 11.30am–12.30pm. £12 per class, £100 for 10 classes. Contact lizacawthorn@gmail.com

Lunch Club Jacqueline House, Oldfield Estate, Fitzroy Road.

Freshly cooked lunch at 12.30 sharp. £5 for 2 courses. More info from 020 7586 8327 Mary’s Living & Giving for Save the Children Blue Jeans Day: 20% off all blue jeans for women, every Wednesday, 10am–6pm.

Open House A regular activity (film, talk, performance) followed by tea, cake and chat. PHCC. 2pm.

Free. Contact 020 7586 8327 English Folk Dance Club Fun for dancers of all abilities and none. No partner needed. PHCC. 7.30–10pm. Drop-in charge £6. Contact camdenfolkdance@yahoo.com Chess Club Learn chess at the Library with a trained instructor. PHCL. 6.30–8.30pm. Free. Contact 020 7419 6599 THURSDAY Franklin Method Pelvic Power Learn mind–body techniques to improve movement and change the way you feel in your body, for ever. PHCL. 10 am. Contact pilateswithpaulette@gmail.com, facebook. com/pilateswithpaulette/events Narcotics Anonymous PHCC. 1.30–3.45pm. Free.

Mother and Baby Pilates Want to tone your limbs, flatten your tummy and strengthen your pelvic floor? PHCL. 10–11am and 11–12 noon. Contact pilateswithpaulette@ gmail.com, facebook.com/pilateswithpaulette Gentle Pilates Gentle but effective pilates class. PHCL. 12.30–1.30pm. £10 per session. Contact annie@mactherapy.org Primrose Hill Yoga Strengthen, stretch, relax and re-energise.

PHCC. 5.30–6.30pm. £11 drop-in, £50 series of 5, student and unemployed discount available.

Contact carolineshawyoga@gmail.com Yoga for Seniors PHCC. 7–8pm. Free. Contact 020 7586 8327 Kriya Yoga PHCL. 6.45–8.15pm. For price contact kriyayogauk@btconnect.com English Country Dancing Explore England’s social folk dance heritage (country, ceilidh, and barn dancing) in this friendly and inclusive class. CSH. 7.30–9.30pm. £8, or buy 5 and the 6th is free.

Life-drawing Beginners to professionals, just drop in! PHCC. 7–9.20pm. £8 or £6 concession. Contact 020 7586 8327, phlifedrawing@gmail.com, www.meetup.com/Primrose-Hill-Life-DrawingLondon. Instagram: @lifedrawingph FRIDAY Aerial Pilates with Pieta Get stronger and more flexible through moving with the support of an aerial sling. PHCC. 10–11am. Class sizes are limited so please book: 07726 721791, www.circusbodies.com Mothers’ Mornings Meet other mothers while your children play.

PHCL. 10.30–11.30am. Free.

Contact 020 7419 6599 Circus Glory Trapeze for adults. All levels welcome. PHCC. 1.30–2.45pm. Contact Genevieve 0797 345 1603, gmonastesse@googlemail.com Dynamic Pilates PHCC. 8–9am. Contact Natalie, natalienicollfitness@gmail.com SATURDAY Councillors’ Surgery First Saturday of the month. PHCL. 11am–12pm.

Primrose Hill Market St Paul’s School playground, Elsworthy Road, NW3. 10am–3pm. Contact www.primrosehillmarket.com

Primrose Hill Community Library Sharpleshall Street, London NW1 8YN

Wednesday 21 November at 7pm

Courageous Women, Unusual Stories:

four local authors

SUNDAY Perform A unique mix of drama, dance and singing classes to bring out every child’s true potential.

Ages 4–7. PHCC. 10–11.30am and 11.30am–1pm.

Try a free class. Contact 020 7255 9120, enquiries@perform.org.uk, www.perform.org.uk Hopkinson’s Bar Meet for a drink with your neighbours. All welcome. PHCC. 12 noon–2pm. Contact 020 7586 8327

CONTACT DETAILS PHCC Primrose Hill Community Centre 29 Hopkinsons Place (off Fitzroy Road) NW1 8TN Contact: info@phca.cc, www.phca.cc 020 7419 6599 PHCL Primrose Hill Community Library Sharpleshall Street, NW1 8YN Contact: events@phcl.org, www.phcl.org 020 7419 6599 CSH Cecil Sharp House 2 Regent’s Park Road, NW1 7AY Contact: info@efdss.org, www.cecilsharphouse.org 020 7485 2206 Please submit entries for our December issue by Friday 9 November onthehillwhatson@phca.cc

From prehistoric shamans and pioneering scientists to a Victorian world swimming champion, from an adoptive mother of a wartime refugee to a woman swimming toward the meaning of motherhood: four local ‘Unbound’ authors discuss the courageous characters and journeys in their books. Please join Stephanie Bretherton, Caitlin Davies, Miranda Gold and Jessica Hepburn for a fascinating evening of talks, readings and signings. tel. 0207 419 6599 | www.phcl.org | Entrance fee: £2 at the door

Advertise your club, group or event with On The Hill Submit your details to onthehillwhatson@phca.cc to be featured and reach 35,000 Primrose Hill residents and visitors each month

onthehill.info

A Blue Plaque for Agnes Arber

By Xandra Bingley although a step forward was when girl students were allowed It is February 1890. Agnes, eleven years old, and her younger to attend lectures with men! In 1908 she was lecturing at brother and sister are flying down the cold north-side path UCL alongside Marie Stopes. In 1909 she married Edward on Primrose Hill. The Robertson family has just moved from Arber, a Cambridge geologist. They had nine years together, 26 Regent’s Park Road into 9 Elsworthy Terrace, and the but very sadly he was an ill man who died in 1918 and open gate onto the park is right by their five-storey newAgnes never remarried. Their daughter Muriel, a build house. teacher and geologist, lived on with Agnes.

Agnes Robertson had been at North London HERIT H S I L G AG EN E In 1927 Agnes’s base at the Balfour Collegiate School, still now famous for Laboratory in Cambridge was closed; at girls’ education, since she was eight. the top of her game, with hundreds of She was clever. Top in botany exams; a published papers and six books, Agnes scholarship girl; she published her first set up a workplace at home. In 1946 research paper in the school magazine. é she was the first botanist and the third When Ethel Sargant, the botany 1879-1960 woman ever to be made a Fellow of the morphologist, talked to the Royal Society. schoolgirls, Agnes found her mentor.

Her extraordinary transformation She apprenticed, learned research lived here is demonstrated in her two last books: techniques, and worked in Ethel’s 1890–1909 The Mind and the Eye (1954) and The laboratory. Professor Mark Nesbitt at Kew Manifold and the One (1957) had at their Gardens told me that Agnes’s plant work heart the hypothesis that ‘Problems of pure has never been superseded. morphology cannot be solved by the methods of I am thinking about Agnes in these rooms in analytical science’.

9 Elsworthy Terrace where I live now, looking out of Agnes became a philosopher and a serious student of the high bay windows facing east up the hill towards sunrise, mysticism. Her early translation of Goethe’s Botany, The and in the afternoons when Thames Valley sunsets roar up Metamorphosis of Plants, and his voracious brain must have the gardens behind Elsworthy Road into this high sitting lit up her own marvellous mind. Her thinking travels from room, with its moulded plaster cornices. This is where Agnes Plato to Coleridge and includes just about every western and looked out at the shapes of trees and began to question their eastern world-class intellectual on the way. The clever girl morphology, the shapes, the structure, the growth patterns. who grew up by Primrose Hill is nowadays thought of as way Both at University College London and in 1902 at ahead of her time.

Newnham College Cambridge, Agnes won First Class A blue plaque will be placed on Agnes Arber’s former Honours; but women were not permitted to receive degrees house at 9 Elsworthy Terrace at a ceremony held on Thursday until 1948. Oh yes, and women were not allowed into 1 November at 12pm. practical classes in Cambridge University laboratories,

AGNES

ARBER

n e ROBERTSON Botanist

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Local School Children turn WW1 and WW2 Detectives

By Natasha Delliston Children at St Paul’s in Primrose Hill are remembering the centenary of the end of WW1 in a truly poignant way: by hunting down the stories behind the names on neighbouring St Mary’s Church war memorial.

The carved names on the beautiful but fading memorial are slowly being washed away by the acidic rain from the tree that shelters it. Previous renovations have only lasted a few years, so St Mary’s are installing a new memorial plaque on the south-facing wall of the church, ensuring that the names live on for centuries to come.

Marjorie Brown, Vicar of St Mary’s, says: “The memorial commemorates local parishioners killed in the First and Second World Wars and the Falklands War. We don’t just want to remember them in the abstract, we want to cherish their names in perpetuity, as a constant reminder of the personal sacrifices that war entails.”

The St Paul’s school history project is part of a larger ‘Pupil Voices’ initiative linked to the centenary of WW1, through which children will be discussing and debating ideas around wars past and present.

Clive Hale, Headteacher of St Paul’s School, says: “The children’s research into the church war memorial will give something very special back to the community, as well as building their understanding of both local history and the human stories of war… We’ll be working with a local historian to try and track down as much information as possible about the names on the plaque, and we’ll be looking to find their unique and untold stories. Part of our exploration will involve talking to local people, so we’re asking for people to get in touch if they recognise any of the names.”

If you think you may have information about any of those commemorated below, please contact either Clive Hale at St Paul’s: head@stpauls.camden.sch.uk; or Marjorie Brown at St Mary’s: vicar@smvph.org.uk The new memorial will be unveiled on Remembrance Sunday during the 10.30 service at St Mary’s.

St Mary’s are actively fundraising to help pay for the memorial. Please consider making a donation at www.justgiving.com/campaign/warmemorial

The Great War 1914–1918

John Hyde Ernest Jourdain Charles Lee John Maybank Clifford Moult Stanley Nicholls Derek Robertson Arthur Scott Harold Slingsby Philip Steman John Wilson Henry Yendell

Arthur Beacall John Beningfield Maurice Beningfield Henry Lee Betts Harry Bubb Arthur Catford Herbert Chappell Lancelot Charles James Culhane Christopher Dearmer

Mabel Dearmer Cecil Duncan-Jones Cyril Eiloart Horace Eiloartw Oswald Eiloart Albert Gallagher Herbert Gallant Howard Greaves Violet Hallam Max Hannon Alfred Hurt Arthur Hyde Frederick Hyde

World War II 1939–1945 James Shaw John Frances Walter

Falklands War 1982 Nicholas Taylor

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PRIMROSE HILL

PRIMROSE HILL ENTREPRENEURS FEMALE PANEL

BY SHANNON CLACK Inspiration wasn’t hard to find on 19 September, when the Primrose Hill Community Centre hosted an all-female entrepreneurs panel.

Local entrepreneur Petar Savic talks to some of the start-ups and small businesses running from Primrose Hill. This month he meets Jonathan BrandlingHarris.

Five wise women at varying stages of their innovative journeys sat down with aspiring locals, and a few from further afield, to discuss the ups and downs of becoming your own boss.

Monika Schott, who made the leap from a comfortable job in the financial sector to being founder and managing director of her own coaching and consulting company, stated that she’d done so because she ‘was annoyed’. This seems to have been the motivation for the majority of the panel, as they met Schott’s statement with knowing nods.

Rebecca Davis, owner of Another Day Events, echoed the sentiment, recalling that she had often thought ‘I can do this all on my own’, without needing to be part of a pre-existing company.

However, as we can imagine, being the creator of a start-up can be scary.

Schott described it as living with a ‘constant sense of insecurity in the background’. She overcame this to some degree by maintaining a secondary job that would ensure her rent payments.

“The gains outweigh the sacrifices,”

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO LAUNCH A START-UP?

There were three reasons, really. First, because I see the nature of estate agents changing and wanted to be able to adapt with it. Second, I wanted to provide this area with a bespoke service, and prove that you can raise standards without overcharging. And third, because I love living in Primrose Hill ‒ it’s my home and I’m passionate about it, so why not build a business around it?

WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE THIS? Prior to my new venture I worked at two large corporate estate agencies.

Before that I was fortunate enough to play professional rugby at home and abroad for eight years.

HOW DID YOU GET FUNDED?

I am self-funded and strongly believe in lean enterprises. When working for two major corporations, the major focus was on aggressive sales targets and shareholder profits. Big organisations have their strengths, but inevitably those costs are put on the clients and this is currently failing as a lasting business model.

Davies reassured the audience; “you gain your independence.”

The panel of entrepreneurs were then asked by the Panel Chair and future business-owner Lorna Bladen if they had ever needed to ‘act like men’ in their ventures.

“I do sometimes think that I have to act like a man,” replied Hilary Simpson, formerly part of a government innovation team at Nesta.

Simpson, now founder of Sleuth Cooperative, noted that she found it helpful to be more typically masculine, especially when walking into a maledominated industry.

“Women, in their heads, put boundaries in themselves,” argued Schott. The counsellor stated that if we see an issue there, we often create more of it than it was originally.

This thinking was concurrent with the Better Home Company creator Emelie Schou Raaberg, who said that instead of ‘acting like a man’ she found herself having to be more ‘assertive’ and ‘confident’ in meetings. Raaberg’s company is in a typically male industry, too: organising the completion of tasks around the home by trade workers such as painters, plumbers and electricians.

With everything, it appears your experience varies based on who you are, how you interpret and which field you go into.

“Be realistic but also be optimistic,” she continued to the group of hopeful start-up owners; “I bet you can do it.”

“Just do it,” echoed Davies’ advice: “you’re never going to be the most knowledgeable person in the industry…

I’ve learnt everything as I went along.”

Is it your turn to take a passion and transform it into a full-time business? Are you intrigued to learn more about the entrepreneurial experience? If so, the Primrose Hill Community Centre hosts a panel like this every month. Keep an eye out on the noticeboards and their Facebook page for further details.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR COMPANY, PRIMROSE COLLECTIVE.

We are an estate agent, but with a simple mission: to challenge the status quo and raise industry standards in the process. I personally do not believe that high street agents as we know them now will be around for too much longer unless they change their approach. I wanted to move into a position to begin that change: by charging less, offering a bespoke service and sourcing only the finest photography to showcase homes.

I personally handle every viewing to ensure that the client is properly represented. I live where I work and I can sell the area better than anyone.

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WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT PRIMROSE HILL?

I love how much of a community it is.

You really get to know people and in a city like London that is important.

It also helps when running a business to build a profile, and I hope to make a positive impact on the area.

WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON?

Alongside launching my business, I’m a committee member at St Mary’s Youth Club. I’m in the process of setting

up a circle of local businesses to join me in my pledge to give a portion of profits to the youth programme. They do fantastic work protecting and inspiring underprivileged local kids and it has such a positive impact on the community. As local residents and businesses, I believe we have a responsibility to get involved with the issues on our doorstep. Community programmes need our support and I want to be a part of responding to that need. https://primrosecollective.com

Move On from Injury, Pain and Illness

W W W. L O N D O N B O W E N C L I N I C . C O M W h i t e C r a n e C l i n i c | 13 S t G e o r g e ’ s M e w s | P r i m r o s e H i l l

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London Lives

Foster Care in Camden Jackie is a Camden foster carer who has looked after eleven children from the ages of 0 to 18. She has been fostering with Camden for over ten years.

What made you want to foster for Camden?

I first became a back-up carer for my cousin, who is also a foster carer.

It gave me a good insight into the different challenges and experiences.

As a mother, I thought I would make a great foster carer and had a lot to offer children.

The process of becoming a carer was quicker than I thought: I rang up the fostering team and it was quick to go through to training and the assessment.

What would you say are the rewards and challenges?

It can be so rewarding. Sometimes time flies by and you don’t notice the huge changes in a person until you look back. I looked after a young boy who when he arrived couldn’t

communicate. We worked on his communication skills and took him to speech therapy. He became a lovely, sweet and confident boy. When he said “I love you, Jackie”, it was incredible!

It can also be challenging sometimes.

But think how scary it must be for the children at first, to be in a space they don’t know, with strangers. Everything must seem alien. I’ve slept on the floor in bedrooms when children have first arrived, to make sure they settle in as well as they can. The child always comes first. You have to be very selfless.

How would you describe your experience so far?

Varied! I started as a baby carer: every baby had a very different personality, and I enjoyed caring for each of them.

I was one of the first foster carers to move from a two-bed to a three-bed house through the Council’s scheme of larger housing for foster carers, which meant that I was able to care for siblings too.

I always said I wouldn’t care for teens, but I gave it a go as respite

for another carer. This gave me the opportunity to see what it would be like caring for older children. Teens have a lot more independence, but there are sleepless nights that come with that. I would encourage every carer to think about looking after teens, as it is the highest need. There is a support group for carers who look after 11+ children, and they gave me great advice, helping me to adapt.

What would you say to someone thinking about fostering?

People always ask me about becoming a foster carer. I would say it’s a really rewarding thing to do, but you need to be able to focus on positives rather than negatives. Parts of the job can be hard, but the difference you can make is huge. You can’t blame children for what they have been through, and you need to support their relationships with their birth family as well. And make the most of all that’s happened in your past: our life experience makes us who we are today and can really feed into the work we do.

Danny Rosenbaum has lived in Fitzroy Road for twenty-five years. He can remember the date because he moved in when his brother and wife moved out as they were expecting their first child. As long as he can remember his nephew’s age, he can remember how long he has been there!

Before that he lived in Regent’s Park Road, and it was at that time that he met Rupert Vandervell through a mutual friend in Parkway Pizzeria, which used to be at the top of Parkway in Camden. They then started working together on creative projects: for example, a film about feminism called Living in a Man’s World and an arts magazine they launched called The Auteur. After which, as Danny puts it, “we decided to get proper jobs”!

Rupert went into magazine publishing and spent twenty years at Condé Nast, whilst Danny made documentaries – mainly current affairs programmes such as Dispatches for Channel 4.

Nearly thirty years on they were having lunch together at The Lansdowne in Primrose Hill and reflected: wouldn’t it be great to work together again?

Danny recalls: “We were having lunch last August and nattering away about how much we loved London. It was then that I had a Eureka moment for us to write a book about twenty-four hours in London, reflecting life in the capital through its people and its iconic places; we would profile twenty-four people, one for each hour of the day, with my words and his photographs.”

“Modern London still has plenty of captivating human surprises” interviews that Rupert didn’t have much time to take the photographs.

But he’s a wizard with the camera and has produced beautiful images.”

Andrew Marr wrote the foreword for the book, and observes: “It can sometimes seem as if idiosyncracy and anything surprising have been bought up, homogenised and turned into bland chains by eager young venture capitalists. But, in fact, modern London still has plenty of captivating human surprises to offer you if you look hard enough. Danny Rosenbaum and Rupert Vandervell have done exactly that...”

You can order copies (signed if requested) direct from the publishers at www.24londonlives.com or from Primrose Hill Books.

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A year on, London Lives is here: the first publication from Perfect Pair Publishing, so-called because not only do Danny and Rupert work well together, but after both having cancer, they only have one testicle each!

Rupert says: “We decided to selfpublish the book because we wanted to keep complete control over the editorial and creative processes. Right from the start, we knew the kind of design that London Lives should have, and how the photographs would be used to enhance it.”

Danny comments: “I found a sheet of paper with our original thoughts on whom we would profile for each of the twenty-four hours, and only six of them are in the final book. We got some rejections, some who didn’t even reply and then some we changed our minds about and did not approach in the end.

But I can honestly say that I would not trade a single one of the wonderful people that we ended up with for any of our original targets.

“One of the people who made it to both lists was Tom Moss Davies, the head gardener in St Mary’s Gardens, Regent’s Park. I’m delighted that Tom was able to do it, because this year he retired and so in a way it was our last chance and he’s such a terrific character.”

Marcus Davey, the CEO and Creative Director of the Roundhouse, is another local character to feature in the book: he describes the dream and determination that propelled him to reopen the Roundhouse as a venue and creative centre for young people.

Danny concludes: “We interviewed all the individuals face to face and they were all so interesting, Which meant that I went on so long with the

16/10/2018 14:46

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In a special interview for On The Hill, retail expert and TV personality Mary Portas talks to Micael Johnstone about how she hopes her new book, Work Like a Woman, will inspire a new way of working and living

MARY’S MANIFESTO

WORDS BY Micael Johnstone PHOTOGRAPHY BY Sarah Lousie Ramsay

A career in business

Mary Portas grew up in Watford as part of a large Irish family. Even from an early age, it was clear that she was instilled with a work ethic and drive that would propel her meteoric rise to the top of the retail world. Family is a huge priority for Mary, whose parents sadly passed away in her late teens.

Mary has three children (Mylo and Verity in their twenties, and Horatio who is six) and lives in Primrose Hill with her wife Melanie Rickey.

Mary started her career on a management training scheme at Harrods, moved on to Topshop and Harvey Nichols, where she was creative director and a board member before the age of thirty. Her new book, Work Like a Woman, A manifesto for change, begins by describing her early career and the numerous challenges faced by women in a male-dominated corporate culture. She refers to the fact that she – as with so many women – felt compelled to adopt a more alpha approach to working life in order to navigate a patriarchal network.

Mary’s recognition that there must be better (less old-fashioned, less linear) ways to run businesses was one of the reasons why she left the security of a well-paid job at Harvey Nichols in 1997 to set up her own retail agency, Yellow Door, which she rebranded as Portas in 2013. Mary has developed a reputation as one

of the world’s leading retail experts: she has been a senior adviser to the UK government as well as making numerous television series on the subject. On The Hill readers will be familiar with the vibrant Mary’s Living & Giving shop in Regent’s Park Road, the first of her 26 across the country and raising £15 million to date for Save The Children.

“I want my children to go into a world of work that enhances their lives” Women at work

Mary hasn’t written her new book just to share insights from her fascinating career; she sees it as a tool to drive real change for women and men in the way we work. What have often been seen in the past as ‘female’ traits, such as empathy, instinct, collaboration and engaging your ‘whole self’, she believes are critical to future success in business and the people working in them.

“I want to get to a place where significant change can happen – that’s what motivates me,” Mary says. “After the last five years of disruption in politics and the arrogance from world

MARY’S ADVICE TO YOUNG WOMEN

Have fun

Be kind

Do your best

leaders, I feel that I want to share my experiences and ideas so that success and the way we work are seen in less aggressive and hierarchical ways.

I want my children to go into a world of work that enhances their lives. It was cathartic to look back at what I accepted then; but we’ve got better, although things are still not nearly good enough,” she says with real feeling. “My kids have been affected by the global crash that was caused by blinkered and greedy aggressive behaviour in corporate offices. It has affected a whole generation in a toxic way. Right now we’re still not dealing with the root causes.”

We discuss what working life was like for Mary in the early part of her career.

There are numerous examples in the book of how challenging things were for women in the hyper-competitive era of the 1980s. We don’t actually talk about Margaret Thatcher in our interview, but the fact that our first female prime minister felt compelled to adopt male characteristics to earn the respect of her predominantly male peers in politics and business is well documented. Mary refers in the book to the fact that Thatcher also felt it necessary to take on traditionally male behaviour. “The power was in the hands of the men,” she says. “Even though 75– 80% of buying decisions today are made by women, we only have 10% women on retail boards. There were implicit codes.

Things were very hierarchical, with power at the top. In order to reach the top you had to become alpha and play the game. Most women just didn’t want to. It was exhausting.

Mary believes that these traditional hierarchies have little merit in a progressive workplace. “I think we should have hierarchies based on competence not power. Leaders in business should teach, train and guide others. I try to be humble and feed from the ideas of the team. Everyone should have a voice.”

Working like a woman

Use your voice

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Stand up

Speak up

Mary has been implementing the new ways of working that she describes in the book with great success at Portas.

“Collaboration means not just ‘me’ and

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Adam & Eve by Lucas Cranach the elder 1526 in the Courtauld Gallery

How does Mary hope to get more businesses to adopt the progressive principles she is advocating in Work Like a Woman? “First of all, people need to read the book as a business-owner and agree that this makes sense. The values are more important than linear ‘me values’. This is the way it’s going.

Women need to come together as a group and build alliances. I hope to put these issues on the public agenda and really question things.”

At home on the hill

Melanie Rickey and Mary Portas

‘I’, it’s ‘us’ – so that everyone feels part of it,” she says. “Everyone is recognised, so that it’s not just one individual taking the credit. Everyone is hired for a reason and they bring something valuable to the team; we have an open-plan office that encourages this.”

It’s clear that Mary genuinely values the opinions and input of all of her colleagues, regardless of their age or seniority. Portas has established a ‘Sunshine Committee’ made up of juniors in the business who regularly put forward suggestions about what they think the office needs to ensure continuous improvement.

Two other ‘female’ characteristics that Mary thinks we need to bring to the world of work are empathy and trust. “We are humans and other things happen outside of work,” she says.

“It’s about accepting vulnerability and showing this from the top. Trusting each other – and sticking to what you say you will do –creates mutual respect and others will support you. We need to keep creating space for this.”

I ask Mary why business people are looking at these values now, as opposed to the traditional success measures that focus on individual performance.

“Shifts happen,” she says. “There’s a clash of toxicity versus the new openness of millennial ideals. After the financial crash, millennials want to enjoy life now as they have no security. There’s also

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“Primrose Hill just has an energy that connects with you, it vibrates with you at a deep level” the ‘Me Too’ movement and the new businesses are disrupting things as well.”

Although some positive shifts are happening in the business world, there is still a long way to go. Mary says that it will take her 22-year-old daughter Verity until she retires to achieve pay parity with men. She believes that we also need significant policy change from the UK government to support women at work. “Governments have only worried about economic growth, not happiness,” she says.

Mary describes having children as ‘the elephant in the room’ when it comes to equality for women at work. The new book details the huge economic opportunity that a more progressive commitment to paternity leave and shared parenting could unlock, by allowing more women to continue their careers. A lack of affordable childcare is another key area that Mary believes needs to be addressed (on average childcare in England is more than four times as expensive as it is in Denmark).

We finish our conversation by talking about the local neighbourhood. Mary has lived in Primrose Hill for six years, but had hoped to move in sooner. “I wanted to move here fifteen years ago, but my purchase fell through! Primrose Hill just has an energy that connects with you, it vibrates with you at a deep level,” she says. “There is this idea that it’s all party crowds – rubbish! Primrose Hill has a really eclectic mix of people that believe in the place. It’s the sum of the trivial interactions ‒ walking the dog, chatting to local people.”

Mary has a few ideas for positive changes to make Primrose Hill even better: “I think we need an Indian restaurant, don’t you?! I’d move the farmers’ market to the bridge instead of the school, to encourage people to flow into the neighbourhood and visit more of the local businesses. I’d also allow more flexible parking on Regent’s Park Road during the week, to make it easier to shop.”

What would her ideal day in Primrose Hill involve? “I don’t have one day in just one place – that would be heaven! I’m driven around on a motorbike to a shoot in Hackney or to the office in Bloomsbury.”

And her other favourite places to spend time in London? “I love Leroy in Shoreditch (a newly opened wine bar and restaurant). Also Lamb’s Conduit Street and Bloomsbury. Spring Restaurant in Somerset House is great, and the Royal Academy for a show and a glass of wine.”

Primrose Hill is fortunate to have a passionate, dynamic resident playing such an active role in our local community. Mary Portas is looking to change the world radically for the better, and her passion and ideas may well play a big part in doing just that.

Mary Portas’ new book Work Like a Woman is available from 1 November

Forbidden Fruit A poem by Susan Greenhill

Do take a bite of the apple, Adam.

Look – it’s perfect! Ripe, round and red, It may be a Braeburn, or Sundance, did you want Cox’s instead?

“Empathy is a nutrient without which human life as we know and cherish it could not be sustained” (Kohut 1978)

In Empathy With Romany Smith Private and Confidential Psychotherapy in a relaxed environment, when its time to talk!

For empathic, experienced and qualified integrative counselling.

In person or on-line appointments contact In Empathy for a consultation today!

www.InEmpathy.life Tel:

07866474408

Gloucester Avenue Primrose Hill

I could bake and serve it with custard, make a crumble, flan, cake, or pie?

Although – all that sugar is bad for you you might get diabetes and die.

Have you still that terrible headache?

You’d feel better if you’d only eat.

We can have pork chops tomorrow, with apple sauce, fresh figs for sweet.

Please taste the apple, it’s good for your teeth, counts as one of your ‘five a day’.

I’ll roast leg of lion at the weekend, and let’s pray the stork flies away.

When you promised me a big surprise, I thought you’d made us venison stew, or arranged a delicious picnic – not nude fruit picking at the zoo.

I should have guessed there was something up when I asked you what I should wear, I had a jumper and skirt in mind, you said: ‘Nothing – except my hair.’

I can’t stand here much longer I’m in danger of catching a chill.

Oh! For goodness sake eat the apple, Adam, If you don’t, the bloody asp will. www.soundcloud.com/susan-greenhill-poetry

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To advertise your business in Marketplace contact melskin@hotmail.co.uk

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The window was designed and made

by Graham Jones, one of the most highly respected artists in stained glass in the country, and depicts a dove in flight.

The colours in the window pick up the beautiful greens, blues and reds in the colour scheme of other windows in the church. The congregation and Anne’s family were very impressed indeed by this beautiful work of art, the first to be installed in the church since 1962.

The Vicar of St Mark’s, the Revd Canon William Gulliford, said: “Everyone at St Mark’s was delighted to support the Griffiths family’s wish to have a lasting memorial for Anne. She exemplified Christian faith and service with tireless consistency, good humour and kindness throughout her life. The new window shows a dove in flight, a visible sign of the breath of God, the work of the Holy Spirit in the world and in the Church. What better memorial could one have?

The Revd Richard McLaren, Chair of Art and Christianity Enquiry, said: “Graham Jones’s work is the most highly regarded and serious stained glass work in the country today. People will flock to see it.” We hope this will be true.

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On Sunday 7 October, the congregation of St Mark’s, Regents Park celebrated their Dedication Festival. It marked the 61st anniversary of the reconsecration of the church after it was rebuilt in 1957, following its near-complete destruction in the Battle of Britain in September 1940.

The celebrations were made unique by the dedication during the main service of a newly designed and crafted stained glass window given in memory of Dame Anne Griffiths, who was Archivist to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. She died in post at the age of 84, and her memorial service in May 2017 was the last public engagement that Prince Philip attended before his retirement two days later. Dame Anne began work at Buckingham Palace as a Lady Clerk in 1952, her first job after leaving secretarial college, aged 19. She was married and lived for much of her life thereafter in Prince Albert Road, just opposite the church, where she was PCC secretary and churchwarden. She was a very respected and loved member of the congregation and is much missed.

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New Stained Glass Window at St Mark’s

Marketplace

RRAC

ALBERT TERRACE MEWS

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FORTHCOMING CHORAL AND COMMUNITY EVENTS AT ST MARK’S SUNDAY 11 NOVEMBER - REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY The Centenary of the end of World War I 10.55 AM ACT OF REMEMBRANCE FOR THE WAR DEAD OF THE PARISH followed by The Choral Requiem - Herbert Howells ADVENT SUNDAY 2 DECEMBER 4 PM ADVENT CHORAL PROCESSION TUESDAY 4 DECEMBER 7 PM COMMUNITY CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT Music provided by the Primrose Hill School Choir and the Choir of St Mark’s

After the service there will be a thank you to Cllr Richard Cotton for his year as Mayor, and a chance to welcome Dominic Jeremy, the new Director of the Zoological Society of London

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onthehill.info

Beauty & Wellbeing

Home

Fashion & Jewellery

Community

SHAMPOO HAIR & BEAUTY SALON 63 Regent’s Park Rd, NW1 8XD 020 7722 9594 alinashala@hotmail.co.uk Tu–Sa 09.00–18.00 Su 10.00–16.00

CAVE INTERIORS 29 Princess Rd, NW1 8JR 020 7722 9222 georgina@caveinteriors.com M–F 09.30–17.30 www.caveinteriors.com

PRIMROSE HILL COMMUNITY CENTRE 29 Hopkinson’s Place, Fitzroy Rd, NW1 8TN 020 7586 8327

NISHIHARA & CO 42 Chalcot Rd, NW1 8LS 0207 483 2417 nishihara.london@gmail.com Tu–W 09.00–19.00 Th–F 10.00–20.00 Sa–Su 10.00–16.00 (alternative times available upon request) www.nishihara.co.uk

PRIMROSE INTERIORS 55 Regent’s Park Rd, NW1 8XD 020 7586 6595 info@primrose-interiors.com S–F 10.00–17.00

SWEET PEA 77 Gloucester Ave, NW1 8LD 020 7449 9292 mail@sweetpeajewellery.com M–F 10.00–18.00 Sa 10.30–17.00 www.sweetpeajewellery.com

Eating & Dining GREENBERRY CAFÉ 101 Regent’s Park Rd, NW1 8UR 020 7483 3765 info@greenberrycafe.co.uk Tu–Sa 09.00–22.00 Su–M 09.00–16.00 www.greenberrycafe.co.uk

Specialist

HARRIET KELSALL 69 Regent’s Park Road, NW1 8UY 020 3886 0757 M–Sa 10.00–18.00 Su 11.00–17.00 www.hkjewellery.co.uk

PRIMROSE HILL DENTAL 61a Regent’s Park Rd, NW1 8XD 020 7722 0860 / 07845 0088 240 primrose.dent@gmail.com M, W, F 09.00–17.00 Tu, Th 09.00–20.00 Sa 09.00–13.00

ZOE & MORGAN 48 Chalcot Road, NW1 8LS 020 7586 7419 shopuk@zoeandmorgan.com M–F 10.00–18.00 Sa 11.00–17.00 www.zoeandmorgan.com

PRIMROSE HILL BUSINESS CENTRE The First Business Centre in the World 110 Gloucester Avenue, NW1 8HX 0207 483 2681 info@phbcoffices.co.uk M–F 09.00–18.00

THE PRIMROSE HILL COLLECTION 0207 681 4303 www.theprimrosehillcollection.co.uk Free delivery in Primrose Hill

PRIMROSE HILL SURGERY 99 Regent’s Park Rd, NW1 8UR 020 7722 0038 M–W 09.00–18.00 Th 09.00–12.30 F 09.00–18.00 PRIMROSE HILL COMMUNITY LIBRARY Sharples Hall St, NW1 8YN 020 7419 6599 M 10.00–18.00 W 13.00–19.00 F 10.00–18.00 Sa 10.00–16.00 POST OFFICE 91 Regent’s Park Rd, NW1 8UT M–Su 06:00–22:00 CHALK FARM FOODBANK Revelation Church c/o Chalk Farm Baptist Church, Berkley Road, NW1 8YS 0207 483 3763 Th 10.30–12.00 www.chalkfarm.foodbank.org.uk

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Primrose Hill EATS

Guy Fawkes Molasses Cake 1.

First, set your oven to 180°C.

2. To make the molasses cakes, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

Add the egg and flour bit by bit, stirring to combine, then add the molasses and baking soda. Once combined, stir in the ginger, cinnamon and salt. Finally pour in the water and mix until smooth.

3. Spoon the cake mixture into a greased cupcake tray and bake for 10 minutes (use a skewer to check that they are cooked). Remove from the oven and place the cakes on a cooling rack.

4. To make the cookie base, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then add the egg and flour bit by bit. Roll the dough up into 6 balls.

5. Line a round baking tray with greaseproof paper then position the dough balls on top – when they flatten in the oven they will make a giant cookie! Bake for around 30 minutes, then cool on a cooling rack.

6. For the icing, cream the butter and sugar, adding a teaspoon of milk if too stiff. Divide the mixture into two, and add the green colouring to one half and orange colouring to the other.

7.

To assemble, lay the cookie base on a cake board, then position the cakes (widest side down) around the base. Using a thick piping nozzle, pipe orange icing around the cakes in a swirl to make it look like fire. Pipe green icing on the cookie base so it resembles grass. Place the chocolate twigs around the side to look like branches.

8. If using the fondant, model a Guy Fawkes figure to sit amongst the fires. You can also sprinkle your creation with popping candy to give some extra Bonfire Night whizz and pop!

Primrose Hill LAUGHS

FROM Collis Bake

s

Ingredients Molasses cakes • 2 tbsp unsalted butter • 32 g caster sugar • 1 egg • 170 g molasses • 140 g all-purpose flour • 1 tsp baking soda • ¼ tsp ground ginger • ¼ tsp ground cinnamon • ⅛ tsp salt • 170 g hot water Cookie • 200 g unsalted butter • 300 g caster sugar • 1 large egg • 325 g self-raising flour Butter cream icing 250 g icing sugar • 200 g unsalted butter • ¼ tsp orange food colouring • ¼ tsp green food colouring To decorate • Chocolate twig shapes • Popping candy (optional) • Fondant icing (optional)

PHOTOGRAPH BY Sarah Louise Ramsay RECIPE BY Caia Collis

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Hello, Primrose Hill!

Thank you to everyone involved in making the Primrose Hill Community Association’s Getaway Gala such a successful evening.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY Pippa Johnson-Kapp www.borrowedmomentphotography.com

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